Torrance Carr, Athlete

[Censored by Laurie]

Looking at the roster we are going to have something like 150 DE's and S's next year.

If we run a scheme that cuts down on the amount of down linemen, we can move some of those DE's and S's to LB and hybrid LB/S positions.

I think that is what TCU did when they first started their rise to get around not being able to recruit top level interior linemen.

DeMarcus Ware played with his hand on the ground at Troy, but he turned out to be a hell of a linebacker.

I think this, despite the source, is a really good idea.

Cantly as a run stopping end...White/Abbe at NT...McCoy at rush end...Akpunku/Obi as pass-rushing OLBs.

[H-towngreen]

I think this, despite the source, is a really good idea.

Cantly as a run stopping end...White/Abbe at NT...McCoy at rush end...Akpunku/Obi as pass-rushing OLBs.

We don't have enough big bodies to convert to 3-4 ends. We barely have enough bodies to make into 4-3 ends and be productive.

[FloMoGrad]

We don't have enough big bodies to convert to 3-4 ends. We barely have enough bodies to make into 4-3 ends and be productive.

I had this same thought about a week ago, why not change the scheme to fit the talent, but then you get to the LB's. You need big LB's to play the 3-4, they have to shed OL and get to the point of attack. This isn't exactly how our LB squad is built at the moment.

I also don't see Coach Mac throwing out the book, so to speak, because we're in a pickle this yr. He's got a long term outlook, and that includes recruiting the necessary players for his scheme year in/year out. We might see a 4-3 with zone blitzes, ends dropping off into coverage, but TCU makes their 3-3-5 work with a ton of speed at Corner and Safety, and while I like our depth here, not for a 3-4 or 3-3-5.

We have the bodies to make the 4-3 work, several DT's coming in and good sized boys already on the line.

Remember, they don't have to be Booger's to make it work, just two big bodies to fill the holes and occupy blockers, allowing Phillips and co to make plays. Coach Mac's presence should be felt along the Dline more than anywhere else, which plays in perfectly to our needs.

[Cerebus]

We don't have enough big bodies to convert to 3-4 ends. We barely have enough bodies to make into 4-3 ends and be productive.

Maybe the guys who are too small to be effective interior linemen are big enough to be run stopping ends? The pass rush will have to come from people who stand up, the down linemen will just be there to keep people off the people behind them.

We need to do something, if we go into this season and out dline is asked to do things they can't... the shine is going to come off the Coach Mac hire pretty quick when we lose a bunch of games.

I, of course, expect the coaches to know more than I do, I am just thinking out loud.

[Cerebus]

We have the bodies to make the 4-3 work, several DT's coming in and good sized boys already on the line.

My fear is if they make it "work" 6 games into the season, thats too late.

Interior defensive line is one of the hardest positions to come in and make an impact right away. Even a JUCO stud like Mike Pruitt took half a season to be really effective.

[FloMoGrad]

My fear is if they make it "work" 6 games into the season, thats too late.

Interior defensive line is one of the hardest positions to come in and make an impact right away. Even a JUCO stud like Mike Pruitt took half a season to be really effective.

3-4 puts our DT/NG in a double team nearly every play. 4-3 gives the DT's a chance to work one on one, so it would take an even more impactful DT to come in and play the 3-4 successfully. We're not making a huge scheme shift, the DT's we have on the roster have played some, should be familiar with what's expected and I'm not looking for 6 games for them to make it work, more like 1-2. The boy from Duncanville should step in and play right away, so we're really looking for one other starter, and a couple guys that can fill in for 10-20 plays a game. I still think Coach Mac stays with the 4-3 and keeps his eye on long term growth and goals. This would be a knee jerk reaction to a 1 yr problem, if that.

[UNT Mean Green]

I had this same thought about a week ago, why not change the scheme to fit the talent, but then you get to the LB's. You need big LB's to play the 3-4, they have to shed OL and get to the point of attack. This isn't exactly how our LB squad is built at the moment.

I also don't see Coach Mac throwing out the book, so to speak, because we're in a pickle this yr. He's got a long term outlook, and that includes recruiting the necessary players for his scheme year in/year out. We might see a 4-3 with zone blitzes, ends dropping off into coverage, but TCU makes their 3-3-5 work with a ton of speed at Corner and Safety, and while I like our depth here, not for a 3-4 or 3-3-5.

We have the bodies to make the 4-3 work, several DT's coming in and good sized boys already on the line.

Remember, they don't have to be Booger's to make it work, just two big bodies to fill the holes and occupy blockers, allowing Phillips and co to make plays. Coach Mac's presence should be felt along the Dline more than anywhere else, which plays in perfectly to our needs.

TCU runs a 4-2-5. West Virginia is a well reknowned 3-3-5 team.

[cl_1_2008]

Okay guys, I'm hearing this guy was being recruited by all sorts of big schools(OU, Texas, USC, Florida...), but ended up being a late qualifier, and the only teams that waited out for him were us and Oklahoma State, and Arkansas(?). This is a HUGE get. I would be absolutely shocked if he doesn't start next year.

[FloMoGrad]

TCU runs a 4-2-5. West Virginia is a well reknowned 3-3-5 team.

Pardon me, I stand corrected. Still same theory. Occupy blockers and allow the LB's to read flow and stop the run, ala Tank Carder. Speed at Safety and CB allow run support and multiple blitz options.

Irregardless and nonetheless, I still don't see us changing to a 3-4 this yr.

But of course I reserve the right to be completely and totally wrong based off my total speculation and illogical decision making.

What position were the AQ schools recruiting him to play

Edited January 28, 2011 by FloMoGrad

[cl_1_2008]

That I do not know, but I would assume safety.

[GrayEagle]

That I do not know, but I would assume safety.

I'm sure that he'll eventually be put where he's most effective but why would you take an Offensive Player of the Year and immediately assign him to defense without first checking what appears to be his strength?

[UNT Mean Green]

I'm sure that he'll eventually be put where he's most effective but why would you take an Offensive Player of the Year and immediately assign him to defense without first checking what appears to be his strength?

Because you have a head coach who's emphasis is on defense (defensive speed at that), and he is going to take his best athletes and put them on Defense. This kid is an incredible athlete for sure, and he'll look good at about 6'3" 215 in the back end of that defense for the Mean Green. My guess is that Swarn will be a Free Safety and Carr will be a Strong Safety in the beginning.

Is anyone else excited about the potential of two safeties at 6'3" and over 200 lbs roaming around back there in the years to come?

Edited January 28, 2011 by UNT Mean Green

[UNT Mean Green]

Pardon me, I stand corrected. Still same theory. Occupy blockers and allow the LB's to read flow and stop the run, ala Tank Carder. Speed at Safety and CB allow run support and multiple blitz options.

Irregardless and nonetheless, I still don't see us changing to a 3-4 this yr.

But of course I reserve the right to be completely and totally wrong based off my total speculation and illogical decision making.

What position were the AQ schools recruiting him to play

No biggy, your theory was accurate! Just wanted to make sure the 4-2-5 deal was accurate. And basically in today's day and age that is what a ton of teams are running on 2 downs per series anyway as a result of these spread offenses. Difference is that Patterson and Bumpas run it as their base front.

We will be a 4-3 team under Mac and Bowen, no question. There will likely be some 3-4 thrown in there, but as a base and from a recruiting standpoint it will be a 4-3.

[FloMoGrad]

I'm sure that he'll eventually be put where he's most effective but why would you take an Offensive Player of the Year and immediately assign him to defense without first checking what appears to be his strength?

Because he was the QB due to his being the best athlete in their program. Played Safety and WR before that, so don't know that his best position would be on offense, may have been more based on his HS teams needs rather than his desires or best fit.

We have 3 QB's coming in, so it would make sense we're not recruiting him for what he won OPoY for. Agreed, Mac and Co will find where we need him most and thats where he'll play.

Definately stoked at having 2 head hunters in the secondary. Huge for run support and with that size should make defending the pass and covering the TE much easier as well.

Great addition!

[GrayEagle]

I'm not implying that he should be a QB candidate. And yes, I realize that the defense needs shoring up more than anything but we've lost some offensive firepower from last year, notably Jamaal Jackson. The only stud receiver is Carey. Carr was a receiver as a junior; hasn't played on defense since he was a sophomore. Unless Stradford develops sure hands, we need an additional quality receiving threat. All I am saying is that I'd like to see him tried at receiver first. If he's not the answer then move him to defense. Remember he was the best offensive player in the district.

[FloMoGrad]

I'm not implying that he should be a QB candidate. And yes, I realize that the defense needs shoring up more than anything but we've lost some offensive firepower from last year, notably Jamaal Jackson. The only stud receiver is Carey. Carr was a receiver as a junior; hasn't played on defense since he was a sophomore. Unless Stradford develops sure hands, we need an additional quality receiving threat. All I am saying is that I'd like to see him tried at receiver first. If he's not the answer then move him to defense. Remember he was the best offensive player in the district.

We return 3 out of our 5 top receiving targets from last yr based off the 2010 stats.

NAME REC YDS AVG LONG TD

Darius Carey 38 524 13.8 46 (TD) 5

Jamaal Jackson 33 446 13.5 45 4

Lance Dunbar 28 332 11.9 66 (TD) 3

Tyler Stradford 24 268 11.2 75 (TD) 2

Alex Lott 15 164 10.9 37 (TD) 1

Add in the effective use of a TE and that should eat up a portion of our lost production. We have 9 returning WR's on the roster. And Whitfield and Jimmerson look great catching the ball out of the backfield as well, so I expect to see some throws there direction as well. We need a Brelan Chancelor type player to step up and start producing, but it's not like we lost our top 3 receivers or even top receiver. We still have our best RB and best WR back, fill in with support players and lets start hanging some W's on the board. And it wasn't our potent ariel attack that kept us in games last yr, it was LD. He had 13 rushing touchdowns to 15 Passing touchdowns, total. The only player I see us struggling to replace is JJ and it's really only 3 catches per game we're replacing there.

Carr was the best offensive player in the district as a QB, where your hands are on the ball on every play. Again, he might have been the best defensive player in the district had someone else been capable of playing QB.

End of the day, I don't care where they play him just get the most talented kids on the field and let's win some damn ball games.

[UNT Mean Green]

Let's not forget Brelan Chancellor and Chris Bynes return. Bynes started against Clemson in week 1 and Rice in week 2 and is by far our most physical receiver.

[H-towngreen]

Let's not forget Brelan Chancellor and Chris Bynes return. Bynes started against Clemson in week 1 and Rice in week 2 and is by far our most physical receiver.

Keep forgetting abour Bynes. He had really impressed before his injury. At least we have 2 more seasons of him.